#ImStaying wave hits home

THERES a wave of positivity sweeping across the country as more and more South Africans join the #ImStaying movement that has literally exploded on the scene and is reaching all corners of the country, crossing racial, religious and political boundaries and uniting South Africans under a common purpose – they are here to stay.

Ordinary South Africans are sharing positive stories that are heartwarming, uplifting and carry a common thread – their deep love for South Africa and its diversity.

The movement was started by Capetonian Jarette Petzer, who decided that he’d had enough of the negativity felt by many South Africans who were talking about leaving the country.

“I woke up one morning and decided to turn things around and to look at the positive reasons to stay in South Africa. On 7 September, Petzer set up a #I’mStaying Facebook page and invited a few friends to join. By 1 October, the group had gained 375 000 members and Petzer said it had the potential to create a lot of change in the country. The group is not only a platform for pushing a positive narrative but is also using its resources to address social issues.

“We have a lot of influential people who have come on board to support our initiatives to uplift South Africans who need employment or other opportunities,” he said.

The group has splintered into regional groups and on Saturday morning, members of the #I’mStaying Durban group organised a meet and greet on the Durban beachfront.

Group admin, Alan Neilson, said he had joined the Facebook group and noticed members were from many different areas.

“I had an idea to get people together in Durban for us to meet one another and see what kind of projects we can get involved in that follow the #I’mStaying movement’s focus on pushing a positive narrative and addressing social issues,” he said.

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Neilson said the positive stories posted on the Facebook page had underlined the fact that people were all the same.

“We are always too scared to talk to others, but the reality is that we all share the same experiences, hopes and fears. The only way we are going to learn about each other is to talk to each other and this movement is bridging that gap and giving us a platform to do just that,” he said.

Tanya Macklin, who attended the Durban group’s meet and greet on Saturday morning said she was there to support the movement.

“My heart and soul is here in South Africa. I’m not going anywhere!””

Debbie Landers agreed, saying “I’m passionate out this country. My life is here.”

Born in the Seychelles, Caroline Ross said joining the group was her “last hope.”

“I have lived in South Africa for 38 years and feel more South African than Seychellois. There is just so much negativity in the country right now, especially the xenophobia, that I’ve given up on everything and am feeling very disillusioned. I decided to join the group and come out here today because this really is my last hope. I want to stay, I love South Africa, this is my home.”

Activist and businesswoman, Gaishrie Sharon Singh said that South Africans shared a sense of belonging.

“No matter where you go in the world, South Africa is home. We all share a South African culture, that’s what keeps us here.”

The positive stories posted by members are heartwarming, uplifting and tell of a country filled with people of all ages, across all cultures who not only share a deep love for South Africa but who are willing to stop to lend a hand to fellow countrymen.

The next meeting of the Durban group takes place on Saturday 5 October at The Cube in Innes Road, Morningside at 9am. All welcome.

Posts from Facebook:

Paul Biebuyck Let’s start putting all this positivity into action and start buying local SA products. Asking our supermarkets to support local farmers and local manufacturers. We don’t need honey or tomato paste from China, or imported milk

Jeff Lindokuhle KaZwane Who ever created this group must be applauded for the jobe well done,I joined this page yesterday but what I found here is real people, sharing some interesting stories regardless of their cultures/skin colour!

I found harmony in this group which made me wanted to meet with these amazing beatiful souls. If South Africa was this united as these people here,our country would be more beautiful than it is now. I’m not good in Afrikaans but I’ll try and say “Ek is baie bly om hier te wees”Lorraine de Jager Let me tell you a story about a taxi driver, my car broke down, so I phoned my husband to come and help me, a taxi driver saw me on the road and asked me if I was ok, I told him that I think it’s my battery, he offed me his spare, I thanked him and told him my husband was on his way. He waited with me until he came.

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MamaKamo Le Katli South Africans have beautiful stories and pictures being shared on this page… I’m so touched by all the responses…no arguing about the past or race…God this is AWESOME!!! we are capable of loving each other after all, who said we can’t do it? Please don’t stop here, let’s spread Love ?, we’ll find Peace ?…I don’t wanna die anymore ? because Love is still around me.. definitely #ImStaying?????? #MyMorningChanger Love you ALL

Thandiwe Peto KaTwinoz Mapi This page is what I have been wanting all my life… I refuse to believe that there is no kindness left in this world and you guys have shown me that I have been right all along! I am new here and #ImStaying

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